Crafty Christmas Countdown: 11

I found these fun peg doll blanks online that have hats built in and ordered them without any solid plan for them. It struck me recently that one was reminiscent of Kermit from Muppets Christmas Carol (my favorite holiday movie by far).

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 12

I've never really understood the appeal of the Christmas village thing. Until I rediscovered my childhood farm playset and recognized it's potential as a Christmas decoration. This is the third year I've put it out. This year I added a bonfire and a decorated tree.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 13

I found this little plush elf at the dollar store. He's pretty cute but a bit bland. I knew it wouldn't take much to jazz him up.

 Half a Christmas sock, a pompom, and some fancy ribbon did the trick, especially after I took in his waist a little bit. He looks especially cool riding on the camel puppet I altered earlier this year.

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 14

Ever get an idea that won't leave you alone until you try it out? That's the source of today's craft. And unlike some of those ideas that I get, this one worked out marvelously. I got it into my head to make some dinosaur Christmas cookies. And the combination of my mother's gingerbread cookie recipe and a little bit of buttercream frosting was a winner. 

They are a joy

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 15

I have a fondness for making my own greeting cards. They feel a bit more personal when the image and saying are of my own invention. These are the cards I'll be giving to my co-workers this year.

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 16

One of my favorite Christmas traditions is crafting with kids. Today's craft is one I put together to do with the kids at church. 

 

Crafty Christmas Countdown: 17

Some animals seem especially Christmasy to me: sheep, camels, reindeer, and donkeys. I think sometimes that donkeys are unfairly ignored. They have kind of ugly-cute faces. So for my sock puppet this season I made a Christmas donkey.